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Development of a TOF‐SIMS technology as a predictive tool for the needs of the mineral processing industry
Author(s) -
Hart Brian R.,
Dimov Stamen S.,
Smart Roger St. C.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.3447
Subject(s) - mineral processing , gangue , pyrite , mineral , mineralogy , chemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , metallurgy , materials science , chromatography
Abstract Recently, upgrades towards a semiquantitative approach to mineral processing applications using the time of flight (TOF) SIMS (TOF‐SIMS) technique have been developed and implemented. Secondary ion yield at specific instrument parameters for matrix elements in the predominant ore minerals and their comparative normalization factors have been determined. Surface loading quantification for Cu on a variety of ore minerals has shown that signal intensity variability is related to the substrate matrix. Relative sensitivity factors for component loading have been determined and calibration curves for Cu loading on mineral surfaces have established with lower limits of detection in the range of 10 ppm. Given the new semiquantitative approach for surface characterization of minerals, a new test was developed to be used as a predictive tool in mineral flotation separation. The test protocol involved a two‐chamber ball mill where Cu transfer between the pulp and specimen surface was measured by the semiquantitative TOF‐SIMS approach. The test was applied to 13 ores. The reported experimental data on these ores demonstrated the ability of this technique to differentiate Cu transfer over a large dynamic range. The data also demonstrated that the surface loading of Cu on pyrite can be correlated, in some cases, with mineralogy. In others, however, the surface Cu loading observed is not congruent with the mineralogical assessment of the ore sample, but still linked with flotation behavior. This shows that the test could be used with mineralogy to better benchmark a sample before embarking on a flotation flowsheet development programme. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.